Process and apparatus for glazing leather



April 23, 1946.

C. D. KNOWLT CN ETAL PROCESS AND APPARAT US FOR GLAZING LEATHER Filed Feb. 5, 1945 e Sheets-Shet 1 jhverltord' Cufler-llKnowHon .Davui Edy ar A ril 23, 1946. c. D. KNOWLTON ET AL 2,398,835

ESS AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING LEATHER PROC Filed Feb. 3, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 l --J ...I

Inventors Gut ZerD Knoll/Zion Dan/id Edgar P 4 c. D; KNOWLTON ETAL 2,398,835

- PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING LEATHER FiledFeb. s, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventors Gui-Z67- D Know/Zion A ril 23, 1946. c. D. KNOWLTON ETAL 2,398,835

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING LEATHER Filed Feb, 3, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,lfivento'r CufZerDX-wwlfofi David Edgar April 1946- c. D. KNOWLTON ET AL 2,398,835

- PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING LEATHER Filed Feb. 3,1945 6 Sheetsf-Sheet 5 Inventors Gui ZerDKnou/Hon 4 1 v David Edgar I By 'rfli ornely April 1946- D. KNOWLTON ET AL 2,398,835

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING LEATHER Filed Feb. 3, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 fizz/anions Cuf Ze TD Emu/Zion David Edgar Patented Apr. 23, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING LEATHER Cutler D. Knowlton, ltockport, and David Edgar,

Lynn, Mass., assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 3, 1945, Serial No. 576,066

' 31 Claims.

Serial No. 441,924 filed May 6, 1942.

As heretofore constructed, glazing machines have commonly been provided with a glass member of limited dimensions arranged to be drawn progressively over successive paths on the surface of a work piece to effect treatment of the latter. Since each path must overlap the previous one in order to insure adequate treatment of all portions of the work piece and since many strokes of the tool are required because of the restricted size of the latter, very considerable time and labor are involved in the treatment of any given work piece. In any case, the results of the treatment depend very largely on the skill and care of the operator in shifting the work piece between successive strokes of the tool. Moreover, the productive capacity of both operator and machine is relatively low. While other machines of greater capacity have been proposed from time to time, none of them has ever gone into commercial us so far as We are aware.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method wherebythe work pieces may be glazed rapidly and easily and with a minimum of skill necessary on the part of the operator and at the same time to secure uniformity of treatment and improved quality of the work.

It is also an object of this invention to provide machines of greatly increased capacity, such machines permitting the use of unskilled operators while maintaining and even improving the quality of the work, particularly in the uniformity of treatment of various parts of any given work piece.

To these ends, and in accordance with an important'feature of the invention, there is provided a novel combination of a glazing roll having a firm smooth surface of material characterized by a thermal conductivity substantially below that of glass with a supporting means for pressing a narrow strip of a work piece against the roll at any given instant and means to rotate the glazing roll to promot feeding of the work piece past the supporting means, this construction permittin'g the glazing of an entire skin upon once V introducing the latter into the machine.

It is another important feature of the.invention that in one modification the means for supporting a skin for treatment by the glazing roll is constructed in the form of a bar which'is so arranged as to press a very narrow strip of the skin at any given instant against the glazing roll so that the pressure on the treated surface and also the heat generated in the operation of the glazing roll may both be high and also uniform per unit area of the portion undergoing treatment, while maintaining the work treating parts within reasonable limits as to size and weight.

Another feature of the invention is the arrangement of the longitudinal axes of the special glazing roll and that of the work supporting surface slightly out of parallelism with each other thereby to make uniform the pressure as appliedto a given work piece.

While a glass or agate member has heretofore been invaribly used as a tool in commercial glazing operations upon leather, we have found it feasible and highly advantageous to use a glazing roll having a surface layer of a material such as a dense wood, a wood impregnated with plastic material, paper or preferably a thermosetting plastic material, all of these being characterized as having a thermal conductivity substantially below that of glass. This can -be done by making such roll of a relatively large diameter as compared with glazing members heretofore used and by arranging for a work supporting surface of such dimensions that only a very narrow strip of the work piece is presented in any given instant to the glazing roll, thereby reducing the friction and, therefore, the heat applied to theroll. Furthermore, by this arrangement only a limited part of the cylindrical surface of the rotating roll is highly heated at any given instant, thereby providing for more of a cooling period before such part of the surface again comes in contact with the work piece. To insure that such glazing roll will not be overheated there is preferably provided a cooling system in the form of means for circulating air about said ro I In a preferred construction the glazing roll is made of a cylindrical layer of Textolite superposed on a metal shaft, the "Textolite being especially suitable because of its durability and resistance to high temperatures as well as its relatively very low thermal conductivity. Other suitable thermosetting compounds are phenolfurfural and urea-formaldehyde. All glazing rolls made of these substances are preferably driven at substantial speed to operate on work pieces while the latter are backed by a relatively narrow and unyielding work supporting surface. Such surface may, however, be of felt or analogous material to facilitate feeding and to provide for varying thicknesses in different portions of a skin.

Still other features of the invention relate to a novel arrangement of the large size glazing roll by which the work is continuously spread out, in directions lateral .to the direction of feed of the work piece, during the glazing operation, and to control means by which the operator may interruptthe glazing operation at any instant. This latter means is useful particularly if it appears likely that a fold or pleat will otherwise be formed in the work piece. A further feature shown in one modification of the invention is a glazing machine having a glazing roll, a work supporting surface for the work while it is beingtreated and a conveyor for returning a treated work piece to the operator.

These and other important aspects and features of the invention and novel combinations of parts will now be described in detail in the specification and then pointed out more particularly in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view partly in section of the left side of one modification of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the left side of the machine shown in Fig. 1, some of the parts being partly in section, the right side not being shown, as it is a duplicate of the left side, but with the driving mechanism omitted;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along a plane from front to rear of the machine showing in more detail certain of the parts in the upper right portion of Fig. 1, certain of the parts of Fig. 1 being omitted for the sake of cleamess;

so as to provide polishing or glazing surfaces of substantial "extent between the grooves.

We find it advantageous to employ a glazing roll of thermosetting plastic material because of the fine effect produced although other materials, as statedbefore, presenting a firm smooth surface and possessing the property of low thermal conductivity (lower than that of glass) can be used. Conveniently, the roll 8 is made of a metal shaft' 9 having a covering layer of Textolite which is a phenolic resin of the Bakelite type superposed upon a paper base. The surface of the roll 8 is remarkably smooth and so flawless and uniform in its structure that the glazing effect on the surface of the skin is substantially invariable. There is also an indefinable quality to the roll surface that contributes to the high quality of the glazed surface of the treated skins. Incidentally, the mechanical and electrical qualities of this resin improve with age. Since too much heat in the glazing operation would be injurious Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line .In the illustrated machine of Figs. 1 to 5 there is provided a work treating roll 8 mounted in bearings provided at each end of the roll in lever arms, one of which is shown at II] in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the arms being pivotally mounted at l2 in the frame of the machine the other end of each arm i0 having pivoted therein a block l4 through which passes a rod i5, around the lower half of which is coiled a spring I8 which is operated upon by means hereinafter described to hold the work treating roll 8 yieldingly in its lower-or operative position.

As clearly indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the work treating roll 8 is helically grooved, the grooves 20 extending in opposite directions from a longitudinal center point of the roll so as to serve a work spreading means simultaneously with the treating of each work piece. As further indicated in Fig. 2, the grooves 20 are shallow and are spaced substantially from each other to the surface of the leather we have found it advantageous to use a roll of this material of relatively large diameter (e. g. about 6 inches) for use with a work supporting member having a relatively small work supporting surface (e. g. /4 inch in width) so that at any given instant a very narrow strip of the work piece is being pressed against the surface of the treating roll. This work supporting means includes a presser bar or roll 22 of about inch in diameter to present a surface of small width dimension in the pressure line of the treating roll 8. By having the presser bar or bar-like roll 22 relatively quite small in diameter (and it may be non-rotatably mounted) a very narrow strip of the work piece is operated upon at any given instant with the result that the pressure on this restricted surface of the work piece is high with sufficient heat momentarily applied at a relatively high temperature, about 250 F., to render the roll effective as a glazing tool. In passing it may be noted that the heat resistanceof this phenolic resin is said to be in the range of 225 to 300 F. At the same time. there is the relatively very large part of the cylindrical surface of the roll which is always being subjected to the cooling effect of a blast of air led in through a pipe 24 (Fig. 4) and distributed over the surface of the roll 8 inside of a casing 26. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of the Textolite surface is low so that the body of the roll doe not tend to warm up unduly. The heat conductivity is lower than that of glass, in the range of 5-8, that is, 5-8 times 10- calories per second per sq. cm., per 1 C. per cm. In other words, the heat produced by friction remains largely on the surface from which it is readily removed by the blast of cool air. Since the thermal conductivity of glass is higher than the Textolite roll, about 2'7 for the former as compared to 5-8 for the latter, there is more likelihood of the glass becoming too hot, the danger being that the hot glass will bring the natural grease of certain portions of the skin to the surface thus injuring the appearance of the skin in the last stage of its preparation for the market.

While a paper base phenol-formaldehyde compound has been found to be entirely satisfactory as the surface of a glazing roll, it is to be understood that other thermosetting materials may well be used in place thereof, and particularly phenol-furfural compounds and at least one ureaformaldehyde compound with an alpha-cellulose filler. These substances do not soften on the apfected little or not at all by weak acids. Still other substances of low thermal conductivity,

which are also durable and non-softening and capable of maintaining a smooth surface during 'frictional wear at temperatures of 250 F. and

over, are suitable for glazing rolls, such. as vulcanized fiber which has been found to give results nearly as good as those given by Textoiite. Conveniently the presser bar 22 is astationary bar or rod mounted in a socket extending longitudinally of a holder 38 (Fig. 3), clamp members one of which is shown at 32 (Fig. 3) being provided to engage an upwardly facing surface of the bar 22 to hold it stationary in its socket. Preferably and as shown, the holderl38 is provided with a holding bar 36 located substantially at the longitudinal center of holder 30 to serve as a fulcrum on the main frame member 48 and about which the holder 30 may be adjusted so that the longitudinal axis of the presser bar 22 may be positioned at a slight angle to the vertical plane defined by the long axis of the treating roll 8. The lower end of the holding bar 36 passes through a bossed portion of the machine frame and a nut at each end of the bar 38 can be tightened to hold thehoider 38 and presser bar 22 in proper position. The purpose of this angular relationship between the presser bar 22 and the glazing roll 8 frames of the machine. The belt 42 also passes over another roll 48 secured to a shaft 50, the

shaft 50 having secured thereto a sprocket wheel 54 so that the roll 48 may be driven from a shaft 43 through wheel 52 and sprocket chain 55. By

thus driving the relatively large roll 48 with a large cylindrical surface presented to the belt 42, ood traction is provided for driving the con veyor belt, thereby insuring *contihuous, even feeding of the work piece past the work treating roll 8. The conveyor belt is of a woven felt fabric of substantially uniform thickness and compressibility and having a surface with a substantial frictional quality to insure proper feeding of the skins into the bite of theroll 8 and rod or bar 22, and to minimize stretching of the belt.

Power for driving the sprocket 52 is provided by a motor 60 (Fig. 2) having secured to its armature shaft a pulley 62 about which passes a belt 64 (Fig. l) which also passes around a pulley 66 secured to a shaft 88. Secured to the shaft 68 is a two-step pulley 10 which drives a belt I2 engaged with a pulley I4 (on shaft 49) to which is secured the sprocket wheel 52 (Fig. 3) by which the upper sprocket wheel 54 and shaft 50 are driven as above described. Secured to the same pulley I4 is a second sprocket wheel 16 about which passes a sprocket chain 18 to drive a sprocket 88 secured to the shaft of the feed roll 82.

The feed roll 82, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4,

is to obviate the disadvantages .of bowing the roll 8 8 upwardly, particularly at its center portions during treatment of a work piece, it being obvious that said angular arrangement distributes the pressure along hnes extending on opposite sides of the axisof the roll 8 so that the pressure understood, of course, that the deflection of the axis of the harm roll 22 with respect to the axis of the roll 8 is very small-of the order of about a; of an inch at each end of the presser bar; This adjustment of the holder 30 about its fulcrum 36 in a plane parallel to the axis of the glazing roll is'secured by means of adjustable face of the conveyor belt 42 where the latter turns downwardly about the supporting bar or rod 22. Since the feed roll 82 is driven to turn counterclockwise, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, it serves to direct theadvancing end of the work piece away from the conveyor belt 42 and onto a delivery table 84.

Also secured to the shaft 88 (Fig. 2) is a multiple V-belt pulley 80 for driving a series of belts 92 which at their upper portions pass over a corresponding multiple V-belt pulley 84 secured to a shaft 96 to drive the latter continuously. Secured to the shaft 96 is a pulley 98 about which pass belts I88 to engage a corresponding pulley I82 (Fig. 1) secured to the shaft of the glazing roll 8 to drive the latter. "It follows that the glazing roll 8 is driven continuously upon throwspring l8, the purpose being to hold the glazing members 38 (Fig.3) screw threaded in bosses provided by a frame member 40. It should be noted that the bar 22 may be considered to be adjustable in a plane parallelto a plane in which the roll 8 is placed and yet the bar 22 and roll 8 are not parallel toeachother. As seen in Fig.

. ,4, the adjustment of bar 22 about its fulcrum 86 is in a plane which does not intersect the axis of the roll 8. The relative positions'of roll 8 and bar 22 can be compared to those of a pencil lying\ 'upperfsurface: of the presserrod or bar 22 and then around aron n (Fig. a) rotating on stub shafts (notshown) extending inwardly from side roll into flrm contact with the work piece turning over the bed roll 22 while permitting a certain yielding of the glazing roll to accom odate variations in the thickness dimension of the work piece, it being understood in this connection that 'the mechanism being described and shown in Fig. 1 as applied to one side of the machine is duplicated at the other side thereof. Means is portion of the workpiece approaching the glazing roll. In, the illustrated construction this releasing means comprises a latch H0 (Fig. 1) and a treadle H2 having connections for releasing the ,latch. As shown, the latch I I0 is operative to hold a member i i4 in a position such that the spring I8 is compressed to exert a; substantial downward pressure on the end of the associated lever I through the rod I6. Upon reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 5 it will be observed that the rod I6 passes'through the central portion of a block I I 6 having journals I I8 receivable in bearings I I9 provided in the member H4, the latter having journals I20 which turn in bearings I2I provided in the side frame of the machine. The block H6 has internal screw threads engaging the external ascasss the treadle H2 the latches III! will be withdrawn iliaizm latching position with respect to the blocks A minorv detail of the construction is found in the special means for tightening or tensioning the endless work feeding belt 42. Asshown, the

tensioning means comprises a roller I60 (Fig. 1)

threads of collar I24. Collar I24 has a longitudinal passage for vertical motion of rod I6 and also a head to engage block I4 when treadle H2 is stepped upon. Collar I24 extends through the block I I6 and is adjustably held therein by a nut H7. The lower end of collar H6 abuts a washer H5 which, in turn, has the spring I8 pressing upwardly against it. It is an important feature of this construction that the axis a. of the journals I I3 is displaced laterally with respect to the axis 11 of the journals I20. If, now, the member H4, upon being unlatched, be rotated in its bearings I2I under pull of a spring I22, the block H6 (which cannot rotate) will be moved in an upward direction to lift the corresponding lever I0 through contact of said block H6 (Fig. 1) with the block I4 carried by said lever, said block H6 havin'g a collar portion I24 which contacts the lower surface of the block I4. Turning of member II 4 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1) permits the spring I8 to expand because of the eccentric mounting of the block H6 to the machine frame. While this upward movement in the illustrated construction is very limited, of the order of about it will be understood that the disclosure is illustrative only and not limiting in this respect. Fig. 1 does not show a clearance between collar I24 and block I4 as no leather is between roll 8 and belt 42.

To restore substantial pressure to each spring I8, there is provided a hand lever I28 (Figs. 1 and 2) by means of which block H6 and collar I24 may be lowered relative to the bar I6. The lever H4 is released by the latch H0, the former rotates in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1), one result being that the lever arm I38 moves to a point such that the bolt I36 engages the left end of the slot I34. Hence when the operator swings the lever I28 to the right in Fig. 1 to restore the tension of the spring H8, the lever arm I38 is engaged through its bolt I36 and moved to the position shown in Fig. l, in which it and the block I I4 are locked by reengagement of the latch H0 with a shoulder on the block H4. Upon release of the hand lever I28 the latter is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 by a leaf spring indicated at I40.

The connections between the treadle H2 and the latch H0 referred to above include a lever arm I42 (Fig. 1) .secured to the same shaft I44 to which the treadle H2 is secured, a link I46 extending between the upper end of the lever arm I42 and the lower end of a lever arm I48 secured to a shaft I50 to which are secured both of the latches H0, one at each end of the ma chine. As shown, a spring I62 secured to the link I46 and to a pin on the machine frame operates to urge the latches I I0 into operative latching position with respect to the blocks I I4. It will be readily understood that if the operator steps upon extending the full width of the belt 42 and carried at its opposite ends in bearings provided by a pair of arms one of which is shown at I62 in Fig. 1 as pivoted upon the shaft 49, each arm I62 having at a point between'the roller I60 and the shaft 49 a pivotal support I64 for the upper end of an adjustable bolt or rod I66, which passes slidably through a block I61 mounted for swivel movement on a frame member of the machine. By proper manipulation of nuts I69and I'll, the rod I65 may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly. It is clear that upward adjustment of the bolt I64 to press upwardly on the arm I62 will have the effect of pressing the roller I60 against the work feeding belt 42 whereby the latter may be adjustably tensioned to suit the conditions and to take up any slackness due to stretching of the belt.

As heretofore stated, the glazing roll 8 is cooled by means of a current of air passing through the casing 26. In order to restrict the escape of air passing through the casing 26 as much as possible to an outlet I10 (Fig. 4), means is provided in close juxtaposition to the roll 8 for minimizing escape of air from the casing 26 in the direction of the work piece, and particularly at the point where the latter is picked up by the feed roll 82, so that the advancing edge of the skin will be delivered properly to the delivery table 04. As most clearly shown in Fig. 4, the support for the casing 26 also provides support for two felt operation,-the operator introduces a piece of work, such as a suitably prepared kid srin, by placing one portion of the latter upon the upper surface of the work feeding belt 42 with the skin arranged in such manner that the backbone line.

thereof extends in parallel relation with the axis of the glazing roll. In other words, the skin is entered, not neck or butt first, but with a side edge portion thereof as the entering end of the work piece. As indicated, the glazing roll 8 rotates in a clockwise direction and therefore facilitates entrance of the work piece into the field of glazing operations. Since the belt 42 is traveling at a relatively slow rate, of the order of about 30 feet linear travel per minute, the operator has time to smooth out the work piece and to see that it is properly presented to the glazing roll. Although the glazing roll surface is moving in the same direction as belt 42, its relatively high speed or 400 R. P. M. secures the desired glazing eirect on the prepared surface of the leather. Since the glazing roll 8 is provided with helical grooves 20 extending in opposite directions from a middle point of its length, it not only operates to glaze the work but to keep it spread out in lateral directions at the same time; thereby providing for more effective treatment and minimizing the likelihood o! the appearance of any pleats or folds in the work. It will be seen therefore that the skin is completely glazed at one passage through the machine, in marked contrast to the repeated shiftings of the skin now commonly necessary to secure adequate treatment of all portions of the 1 the operator may find it necessary to interrupt the glazing operation to prevent the formation of a pleat or fold. This he 'can do instantly by steppins on the treadle H2.

.The second modification of. the machine is dopicted in Figs. 6 and 7. The machine is provided with a platform 200 upon which is mounted a frame 202 comprising two parallel and vertical standards 204 and 206 at each end and two horizontal stiffening members 201 and 209. At the top of each set of vertical standards 204 and 206 ismounted' a bracket 208 adjustably mounted in position by large bolts 2 l0 and 2| 2 with set screws 2l4 and 2 l6. Each bracket 208 i provided with a bearing 2|8 supporting a work treating roll 220.

Said work treating roll 220 is of a nature similar 'to that of glazing roll I02 of Fig. 1 and is preferably grooved, the helical grooves extending in opposite directions from the longitudinal center.

The roll is provided with a shaft 222 arranged to be driven by multiple pulleys 224, multiple belts 226, pulley 228 and motor 230, the latter being mounted on the platform 200. Mounted beneath the work treating roll 220 and substantially parallel thereto is-a felt covered bed roll or work supporting member 232 which is free to rotate with the shaft 234 within bearing block 236, each of the latter being vertically slidable between a set of the standards 204 and 206. Each bearing block 236 has a cylindrical bottom portion 240 engaged by a shoe 242 urged upwardly by a spring 244. Each spring 244 at its lower end rests upon a shoulder of a cylindrical member 246 attached to a rod 248 by means of threads 250. Each member 246 is maintained in adjusted relation with a rod 248 by a set of lock nuts 252 and 254. The horizontal frame members 201 and 209 joining the two sets of vertical standards do not extend the full width of the machine and therefore provide clearance permitting the rods 248 and their 7 attached elements to swing slightly horizontally.

The upper end of each rod 248 extends up into a slot 249 of each block 236 and is provided with a cross piece 260 which passes through a, slot 262 and bears against the lower end thereof. The lower end of each rod 248 is secured to a bracket 264 pivoted on a short shaft 266 attached to lever arm 26! which is keyed to a shaft 268 mounted for rotation in the machine frame. The shaft 268 has two long treadle arms 269 extending, to the.

front portion of the machine within convenient reach of the operator, the treadle 210 itself extending across the front of the machine. A

bracket 212 is mounted on each end of the platmeans of which an operator can spread out a work piece and present it into the bite between the rolls 22. and 232. Rolls 306, 308 and III are mounted upon the machine frame as shown and by means of which a conveyor belt 8l2, driven by contact with the bed roll 232, is enabled to return 9. treated work piece back to theoperator.

In operation the operator places a work piece on the table'304 spreading it out and presenting it to the bite of the two rolls, the lower roll 232 being felt covered and rotating relatively slowly due to the size of the gears 300 and 302 and the felt tending to retain-the work piece in place relative to the surface of 1-011 232 and presenting its leading edge after treatment to the conveyor belt 3l2. The glazing roll 220 rotating at a rapid rate in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 6 produces the glazing effect. The bed roll 232 i urged upwardly by springs 244 with the requisite pressure which pressure can be adjusted by the positioning of lock nuts 252 and 254.

It is to be noted that in both modifications the same methodof glazing is carried out. A narrow strip of the relatively slow moving work piece is presented to the-glazing roll for the treatment at any given instant and the relativel rapid moving surface of the glazing roll moves toward the prior treated portion of the work piece. In carrying out this method, work has been produced which cannot be distinguished from work carefully treated by old methods of glazing. It is therefore clear that glazing and not mere polishing is achieved in the carrying out of the method of applicants. It is of interest to form a theory as to why applicants method produces the results that it does although it should be understood that the merit and scope of the method in no wise depends upon the correctness of any theory advanced. In both machines disclosed, the treating surface and treated surface advance in the same direction.' The treating surface travels faster and in so doing causes the temperature to rise higher on the treated surface than on the treating surface. This would probably be. true regardless of the relative direction of travel of the two surfaces but, in the present instance, any given strip of the work piece is at room temperature when it first member 208. The lower roll 232 is rotated by gears 300 and 302 in such a way that the glazing contacts the work treatingroll and at that instant the work treating roll at the line of first contact is also at or not substantially above room temperature. The character of the work treating roll surface precludes any building up of heat or any substantial increase in temperature inthe roll during a continuous glazing operation and therefore a constant relative condition of the temperatures in theroll and work piece is present at the line of first contact between the roll or work treating surface and any work strip. This being so, the line of final contact along the strip will be at a temperature easily controlled by variation or adjustment of one variable-the pressure between the work piece and the treating roll. Passage of treated and treating surfaces in the same direction, as is done by applicants, results in the temperatures of both rising together across a given narrow strip of hide or skin. In other words, the work piece is heated at a spot whereing roll by means of an air blast may or may not I beadvisable depending upon various factors such as the rotative speed of the work treating roll the rate of feed, the diameter of the work treat ing roll, the sizes of'individual workpieces and the intervals of time between treatments of consecutive work pieces.

If the work and treating surface were given opposite directions of travel, not onl would it be diflicult, if not impossible, to feed the work piece properly, but the temperature differential between the treating roll surface and the work piece (along any narrow strip) would be of such a nature that the desired result could not be achieved effect on hides and skins and does so rapidly and efficientl and without the necessity of skilled labor.

Havin fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for operating upon hide and skins, a driven roll having a substantially continuous smooth surface for treating a work piece,

a conveyor belt for feeding a work piece past said roll, and means for supportingand driving the conveyor belt, said means including a non-rotatable member of a relatively very limited width dimension located adjacent to the work treating r011 and having a substantially unyielding surface with a radius substantially less than that of said treating roll to press the work piece on the belt against said roll along a relativel very narrow and longitudinal portion of the roll at any given instant, whereby said treating roll operates successively upon relatively ver narrow strips of the work piece.

2. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a yieldingly mounted work, treating roll, means for rotating the roll, a presserbar of diameter smaller than that of the treating roll located lengthwise of and adjacent to said treating roll, and a conveyor belt passing over said presser bar to feed the work piece edge-on to and past the work treating roll, said belt consisting of material of high tensile strength and substantially uniform in thickness and compressibility, and said presser bar having a substantially unyielding surface to support the belt and work piece against the pressure of the work treating roll along a relatively very narrow strip of the work piece at any given instant, the construction being such that the material of the belt accommodates variations in the thickness dimension of the hide or skin undergoing treatment. r

3. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon hides and skins, a rotating glazing roll, said roll being provided with a cooler casing, a non-rotatable presser bar of diameter smaller than that of said glazing roll and being located lengthwise of and adjacent to said glazing roll, I

tions upon hides and skins, a relatively large diameter work treating roll, and a presser bar having a work supporting surface about one quarter inch wide, said bar being located adjacent to the work treating roll in an arrangement in which the presser bar and the treating roll are mounted slightly out of parallelism but in parallel planes whereby to make uniform the high pressure to be applied to a work piece between the roll and bar.

5. 'In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a work treating roll, a work backing member longitudinal to said roll, the axis of the roll being slightly out of parallelism with the backing member, the said axis and member being in parallel planes, a conveyor belt passing over said member to feed a work piece progressively between said member and the roll, means for driving the conveyor belt, a feed roll just beyond the work backing member, and means for rotating the feed roll in a direction such that the forward end of the skin is carried along by the feed roll in the same direction as the feeding surface of the conveyor belt.

6. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a work treating roll, a work backing mem-' ber longitudinal to said roll, a conveyor belt passing over said member to feed a work piece progressively between said member and the roll, means for driving the conveyor belt, a feed roll just beyond the work backing member, means for rotating the feed roll in a direction such that the forward end of the skin may be carried along by the feed roll in the same direction as the feeding surface of the conveyor belt, and means for supporting the said work backing member for adjustment in a plane not intersecting the axis of the work treating roll whereby to make the high pressure uniform when applied to the work piece.

'7. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon hides and skins, a glazing roll of thermosetting plastic material having a low thermal conductivity and being of relatively large diameter, and a presser bar presenting a surface of relatively small width dimension as measured transverse to the glazing roll, said presser bar stn'face to serve as asupporting means for the hide or skin being treated by said roll and being operative to press only a narrow strip of 3, hide or skin against the work treating surface at any given instant, whereby the strip being momentarily operated upon is subjected to high pressure and heat suitable to effect the glazing operation.

8. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a work treating roll, a'presser bar presenting a surface of relatively very small width dimension located adjacent and longitudinal to the work treating roll in an arrangement in which the axes of the presser bar and of the treating roll are slightly out of parallelism but in parallel planes whereby to make the pressure applied to a work piece uniform, and conveyor means for feeding the work piece over the presser bar for presentation to the work treating roll.

9. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a work treating roll, a presser bar presenting a surface of relatively very small width dimension, said bar being adjacent and longitudinal to said roll, the axis of the work treating roll and the presser bar being relatively adjustable in different planes, a conveyor belt passing over said bar to feed a work piece progressively between the bar and the roll, means for driving the conveyor belt including a roll spaced a considerable distance from said presser bar and around which the conveyor belt is arranged to pass, the arrangement being such that the belt turns sharply in a downward direction in passin over the presser bar surface, a feed roll just beyond the presser bar to take the work piece from said belt, and means for rotating the feed roll in a direction such that theforward end of the skin is carried along by the, feed roll in the same direction as the feeding surface of the conveyor 1 belt.

10. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon hides and skins, a glazing roll of thermosetting plastic of low thermal conductivity, said roll being of relatively large diameter, a presser bar presenting a surface of relatively small width dimension as measured transverse to the glazing roll, said presser bar surface to serve as a'supporting means for the hide or skin to be treated by said roll, said presser bar being operative to press only a narrow stripof a hide or skin against the work treating surface at any given instant, whereby the strip being momentarily operated upon is subjected to high pressure and heat suitable to effect the glazing operation, and a support for said presser bar adjustable to position the bar with its axis at an angle to that of the glazing roll and-in a plane parallel to the axis of the glazing roll.-

locking the support with the work treating roll in operative position aganst the resistance of said spring means, and manually controlled means,

for releasing the locking means so that the work treating roll will be moved by said spring means to inoperative position instantly at the will of the operator.

14. In a; machine for operating upon hides and skins, a work treating roll, means for feeding a 0 work piece to and past said roll, means located below said roll to press a limited strip of the resistance of said spring means, treadle controlled means for releasing the latches so that the work treating roll will be moved by said spring means to inoperative position instantly at the will of the operator, and manually op- 11. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon hides and skins, aglazing roll of thermosetting plastic of low thermal conductivity and of relatively large diameter, said roll being fitted with fluid cooling means, a presser bar presenting a surface of relatively very small width dimension as measured in a direction transverse to the glazing roll, said bar surface to serve as a supporting means for the hide or skin to be treated by said roll, said presser bar being operative to press only a narrow strip of a hide or skin against the work treating. surface of the glazing roll at any given instant, whereby a the strip tobe momentarily operated upon is and said presser bar.

12. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon hides and skins, a glazing roll of thermosetting plastic material having a low thermal conductivity and being of relatively large diameter mounted yieldingly and fitted with cooling means, a presser bar working surface of relatively small width dimension as measured transverse to the glazing roll, said, bar to serve as a supporting means for the hide or skin to be treated by said roll, said presser bar being operative to press only a narrow strip of a hide or skin against the work treating surface of the gla'zing roll at any given instant, whereby the strip to be momentarily operated-upon is sub-' jected to high pressure and heat suitable to effect the glazing operation, and a conveyor belt passing over said presser bar to feed the skin into the bite between the work treating roll and the presser bar. I

13. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a work treating roll, means for feeding a work piece to and past said roll, means located near said roll to press a limited strip of the work piece at any given instant against said roll for treatment thereby, a support for the work treating roll, said support being pivoted to the machine frame, spring means continuously tending to pivot the support and the roll to inoperative position awayfrom the work piece, means for erable means for restoring the work treating roll to operative position and looking it there.

15. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a rotatable work treating. member of a length dimension suflicient to operate along the full width or length dimension of a hide or skin while the latter is supported on a work support, a work support having a. narrow substantially unyielding work supporting surface with a radius substantially less than that of said rotatable member, swing arms having bearings for -said rotatable member, spring means connected to said swing arms for holding said rotatable member firmly but yieldingly in engagement with the hide or skin, means including a latch device for holding the spring means properly tensioned during a work treating operation, release of the latch device permitting expansion of the spring means to relieve the pressure of engagement, and a member under control of the operator for releasing the latch device whereby the operator. may interrupt treatment of a hide or skin at any instant.

16. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins, a work support having a narrow work supporting surface, a rotatable work treating member of a length dimension suflicient to operate along the full width or length dimension of a hide or skin while the latter is supported on the work support, swing arms having bearings for said rotatable member, spring means connected to said swing arms for holding said rotatable member downwardly and firmly but yieldingly in engagement with the hide or skin, means including an eccentric device for applying pressure to said spring means to tension the latter to the proper degree, means including a latch device for holding said eccentric device in its spring tensioning position, release of the latch device permitting expansion of the spring means to 17. In a machine for operating upon hides and skins,-a work support having a narrow work supporting surface, a rotatable work treating member of a length dimension sufiicient to operate along the full-width or length dimension of a hide or skin while the latter is supported on the work support, swing "arms having bearings for said rotatable member, spring means connected to said swing arms for holding said rotatable member downwardly and firmly but yieldingly in engagement with the hide or skin, means including an eccentric device for applying pressure and a manually operable member having connections to rotate said eccentric device in the direction to restore tension in said spring means.

18. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a glazing roll of a length dimension sufficient to treat a hide or skin along the full length of one of the longest two linear dimensions thereof as the latter is presented to the roll, said glazing roll having a smooth durable surface layer of material characterized by a thermal conductivity substantially below that of glass, and means, including a barlike work support of a length corresponding to that of the glazing roll and presenting a surface of a very narrow width dimension as compared with the glazing roll diameter and as measured transverse to said roll for pressing only a limited portion of the hide or skin against said glazing roll at any given instant.

19. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a glazing roll of a length dimension sufficient to treat a hide or skin along the full length of one of the longest two linear dimensions thereof as the latter is v presented to the roll, said glazing roll having a surface layer of thermosetting plastic material having a thermal conductivity substantially below that of glass, and means, including a barlike work support of a length corresponding to the glazing roll and presenting a surface of a very narrow width dimension as measured transverse to the glazing roll, said support being for pressing only a limited portion of the hide or skin against said glazing roll at any given instant, said roll also having in its operating surface helical grooves extending in opposite directions from a middle point in the length of said roll whereby said roll tends constantly to spread the work out while it is glazing the same.

20. In combination with a machine for performing glazing operations upon tanned hides and skins; a glazing roll having a cylindrical surface layer of a thermosetting material of low thermal conductivity selected from a group consisting of phenol-formaldehyde, phenol -furfural and urea-formaldehyde compounds and a barlike work support arranged lengthwise the glazing roll for holding the work against said roll.

21. In combination with a glazing machine for tanned hides and skins, a glazing roll having its cylindrical work treating surface made of a phenol-formaldehyde compound and a bar-like work support arranged lengthwise the glazing roll for holding work against said roll.

terial characterized by a thermal conductivity substantially lower than that of glass, the heat characteristics of the roll being such as to minimize the danger of injury by heat to the surface of the hide or skin, and a bar-like work support arranged-lengthwise the glazing roll for holding work against said roll.

23. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a glazing roll of a length dimension sufficient to treat a hide or skin alon the full length of one of the longest two linear dimensions thereof as the latter is presented to the roll, said glazing roll having a surface layer of a thermosetting material of low thermal conductivity selected from a'group consisting of phenol-formaldehyde, phenol-furfural and urea-formaldehyde, and means including a bar-like Work supportof a length corresponding to that of the glazingroll and presenting a surface of a very narrow width to press only a limited portion of the hide or skin against said glazing roll at any given instant.

24. In a machine for performing glazing operations upon hides and skins, a glazing roll having a firm and smooth surface of material characterized by a thermal conductivity substantially below that of glass, means for supporting and pressing only a narrow strip of a hide or skin work piece against the work treating surface at any given instant, and power means to rotate the glazing roll in a direction to promote feeding of the said work piece past the said supporting and pressing means.

25. In combination with a machine for performing glazin operations upon tanned hides and skins, a glazing roll having a cylindrical surface of thermosetting material of low thermal conductivity selected from a group consisting of henol-formaldehyde, phenol-furfural and ureaformaldehyde compounds, means for supporting and pressing only a narrow strip of a hide or skin work piece against the cylindrical surface at any given instant, and means to rotate the glazing roll in a direction to promote feeding of the said work piece past the said supporting and pressing means.

26. A glazing machine comprising a powerdriven glazing roll and a feed roll for continuously presenting a hide or skin to the glazing roll, said feed roll having a yielding surface and being arranged to feed the hide or skin in the direction ofrotation of the glazing roll, said glazing roll having a firm and smooth surface of material glass, and a conveyor for returning the treated hide or skin to the operator.

28. A glazing machine comprising a power driven glazing roll and a feed roll for continuously and resiliently presenting a hide or skin to the glazing roll, said feed roll being arranged to feed the hide or skin in the direction of rotation of the glazing roll, said glazing r011 having a firm and smooth surface of material characterized by a thermal conductivity substantially below that of glass, and an endless conveyor engaging the feed roll for returning the hide or skin, after treatment, to the operator.

29. A method for glazing a work piece such as a tanned hide or skin which comprises slowly feeding in one direction a spread out work piece through the bite between a narrow work suporting surface and a rapidly moving smooth surface of material characterized by a thermal conductivity substantially below that of glass, the

said smooth surface moving in the direction of feed.

30. A method for glazing a work piece such as a tanned hide or skin which comprises slowly; feeding in one direction a spread out work piece 10 through the bite between a narrow work supporting surface and a rapidly moving smooth surface of thermosetting material of low thermal conductivity selected from a group consisting of phenol-formaldehyde, phenol-furfural and urea- 1;

work piece slowly but also in said one direction with only a narrow strip of the work piece in contact with the said smooth surface at any given instant, and pressing said strip against said surface to secure the glazing effect CUTLER D. KNOWLTON. DAVID EDGAR. 

